The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-02
NEW YORK CITY POLITICS.
Mayor Hewitt Writes About Newspaper Bosses
and Says that They Must Be Suppressed.

and Says that They Must Be Suppressed.
special to the Indianapolis Journal
NEW YORK. Nov Mayor Abram I. Hewitt
was invited to attend meeting of the Harlem
Democratic Club, held to night for the purpose
Of ratifyIng the Democratic county nominations.
In reply he sent letter in which he says:
''For reasons which l think will be regarded as
satisfactory by my fellow-citizens. have de-
cided not take part in the political meetings
which will be held between now and the time
OF the election; but there is no reason why, as a
citizen, should not express my opinions ref
srenee to the candidates and the principles at
veloped an old issue in new
ard aggravated form After the
presidential election of 1876 this community
became tired of what denominated boss
rule. It determined to put end to personal
politics. took an active part IN the movement.
and was punished by refusal the part of
the Democratic machine to renomnate me for
Congress. NY opinions expressed in 1880 have
recently been reproduced by the press.
and reairm them as
carefully prepared protest against the evils
which follow the despotic and secret exercise OF
power by political bosses. l do not know OF the
evidence of any such bosses In this city at this
tine II they exist it to me that the
Mayor, in the discharge OF his appointing pow
srs, would have encountered them. They have
not materiaized in the Mayors Office, and no
demands have been made upon me In their be-
half
but have encountered another and new
kind of boss who has given me great deal of
1nsought advice and large amount of unnec-
sssary b1lldoZing / refer to the newspaper
boss Sitting in his editorial sanctum like a
broodlng Buddha, he does not hesitate to claim
Dmniscience and TO endow himself with omnip
Dtence. The political boss was responsible
Dnly to his party; the newspaper boss is respon-
gible to his own pocket he is as dangerous as
he is despotic. He must be suppressed. Other
wise parties. upon the healthful existence of
which free, government depends, will be de-
rkrn 4ho will ha Oh cd to
choose between newspaper tickets instead of
barty nominations.
1T is alleged, however. that the Democratic
candidates were not selected by the representa-
fives of the party according to the free choice
which have always advocated. This charge is
not true The specific accusation is that the
united Democracy requested the candidacy of
Delaney Nicoll, at the dictation of Maurice j.
Power. aided and abetted by varions persons,
among whom I have been named There
is foundation whatever for this
statement That Mr.. Nicoll is not the
democratic candidate is due to his declara-
ton. In Septem Der last he told me o. his own
account that he did not desire the nomination
for district attorney. and preferred to resume
his private practice of the Law. But for this
proper way. to sesure. his nomination, because
Col. Fellows. who, by long experience and I'M
Bqualed ability. ought to have had the
rall on the nomination. had also
given me to understand that he
would retire from the position he
now fills at the close of the year. In this state
Z.
the natural nominee; and all the leaders of the
organization to which he belonged seemed to
concur in the propriety of his nomination. This
conclusion was not the work of any man.
but was the concensus of all the men whose
opinions would have weight with the public.
In this condition Of affairs the nomina-
tion of Mr. Nicolla was demanded by
certain newspapers which either not the
organs Of the Democratic party or are distinctly
opposed to it's principles. Mr. Nicoll, at first
reluctant finally succumbed to the gross aduIa-
Wi w aQ ed
This injudicious course made his candidacy IN
acceptable TO sef-respecting men, and Colonel
Fellows was solicited to accept a nomination
which he neither expected desired The Re-
publieaus who. in my own case, refused to
indorse Democratic candidate. were prompt
enough to seize the opportunity to foment dis
cord in the ranks of their opponents by the open
nomination of two Democrats, thus making the
humiliatInc confession that they have no men
in their own party who have the courage and
ability TO effect reform, promote justice. and
punish crime.
''The deduction FROM these facts is clear that
the Nicoll movement is IN its inception a news
paper advertising dodge and IN its conclusion a
disgraceful stratagem OF the Republican mana
gers to demoralize the Democratic party. in the
hope that in the confusion thus produ ced they
carry the election of 1888 in favor of the poll
ticians who were driven from power in 1884 by
the election of Grover Cleveland. The scheme
10 ingenious. but il is based upon the mistaken
idea that the people all fools.
'As to the personal attacks upon Colonel Fell
lows. they are simply diseracefnL The more
take. and such men as Choate, Root and Ander-
son have generously borne testimony TO his pro-
fessonal integrity and peculiar qualifications
for the Office of district attorney"
After praising Colonel Fellows's private char
acter, the Mayor continues:
ST have stated the local issue. But there is a
larger and broader view be taken. Since the
close of the warthe Democratic party have made
q heroic struggle to reduce taxation and reform
the national administration They are now a
power, but all efforts to lessen the burdens
OF taxation have been thwarted by
the Republican party There is now
3 vast fund accumulated in the treasury
for the control of which corrupt men hunger
and thirst. The only safety lies in the stern
integrity of the Democratic administration. A
defeat now IL this city and State will open the
gates of the treasury to the jobbers and to
schemes foreign to the purposes of our govern
ment and to the best interests of the peo-
pie. Let them be- warned against
ride issues. and let them keep ever in mind that
Shere is no safety except in the continuance in
power of the Democratic administration, which
has proved its fitness by rigid economy, e stern
enforcement of the law. and by prompt punish
ment of crime As now constituted, there is no
room in the Democratic party for corruption
and fraud"